This listing is one of the first in a new group of items that we will be offering that features recent animal specimens that are also found in the fossil record.

Typically we sell fossils but it is useful for comparative studies to have examples of modern specimens. Where fossils can be fragmentary or damaged a complete modern specimen really helps in understanding what the fossil once looked like. Modern examples are also great to show evolutionary changes or conversely how species can go unchanged for millions of years.

This particular listing is for ONE shark tooth from the Thresher shark Alopias. Fossil specimens of these teeth are uncommon yet are almost identical to the modern form showing that there has been little change in these sharks over millions of years.

As with all our specimens these come with an ID label stating the species and locality.

Shown in a ~1.25 inch gem jar for scale.

All of our modern specimens come from sustainable fishing industries in and around the Pacific and Indian Oceans. These are not specimens that have simply been killed for their jaws or fins, but are ones caught by local fishermen for their livelihood and food. All parts of the animal are used or consumed, with the teeth and spines being sold to the tourist trade. None of these specimens come from commercial fish where sharks are killed solely for their fins and jaws with the rest being dumped back in the ocean.